Congratulations to Joanne McCarthy on her success in winning the 2013 Gold Walkley award for her reporting on child sex abuse in the Catholic Church.
Unfortunately, the inference is that this is the only place where child abuse takes place, which of course we all know by now is not the case.
Her success in uncovering the criminal behaviour and careless supervision in the Hunter Diocese, which led to the setting up of the current Royal Commission, is well documented, and is to be commended.
However, her call for the resignation/etirement of Cardinal George Pell over his latest appearance before the Commission is untimely, and could be construed as influencing the outcome of any eventual decision of the Commission on Cardinal Pell.
It should be remembered that he is being questioned about events which happened many years ago, and which the questioner has had ample time to consider the best approach to prosecute his / her case, unlike the accused.
While acknowledging absolutely that horrific crimes were committed against children by men of the church who everyone thought they could trust, Cardinal Pell at that time had no authority as a priest to take any action, apart from reporting anything he heard or observed to be wrong to his superior.
It is well documented that as soon as he was given a position of authority and had details of some of the behaviour taking place, he did take immediate action.
Finally, I am offended at the use of the Cardinal’s surname without his title being used. One can be angry or dislike a person, but one still should be respectful of the position they occupy in their organisation.
In case it’s not clear by now, I am a practising Catholic, I am deeply hurt and horrified by what has happened in our church and feel deeply for victims of abuse, and I do thank Joanne for the work she has done in bringing the whole sordid situation to the open forum
Frank Burgess, Engadine
